The podcast references an incredibly powerful article written on Billfold called, “The Story of a Fuck Off Fund” which sent chills down my spine because the scenarios described are so easy for this to happen.

We’re all smart, intelligent women.

In a perfect world where all was right and women were treated with respect, the need for a “Fuck Off Fund” would be void.

We wouldn’t need it.

We don’t live in an ideal world.

I’ve seen how so many smart, professional hardworking women have had the rug ripped from right under them because they didn’t think it would happen to them.

The scenarios I’m talking about is Divorce, Death and Illness.

This is why women need to have a second bank account in their OWN NAME.

Not a joint account, not the account your partner knows about, but a second bank account just for you.

It’s not an alien concept and most women have had secret money stashes throughout history.

Who hasn’t heard stories about their badass grandmas stashing the housekeeping money and then pulling it out in an emergency?

Unfortunately, in the consumer-driven world, we forget things can and do go wrong.

You can be plodding along and BAM!

Your husband loses his job.

You lose your job.

You family goes through a financial disaster you did not prepare for.

Your husband dies and doesn’t leave you any provisions.

You have a baby and decide not to go back to work, and you’ve got no funds to support yourself if something goes wrong.

You put up with abuse because there’s no way you can escape.

These are all real scenarios but they can happen to anyone.

When my husband lost his job in 2015, he was out of work for a year and a bit.

We didn’t have any income at that point and survived on savings and miracles sent from Allah (SWT).

Alhamdulillah, he was able to get another job in a different field, but it wasn’t the same standard of living we were used to.

I’m not complaining at all because it was a lifeline.

Shortly after I was working full-time but I got ill and admitted to hospital after my Stroke, it again put a strain on our finances because I couldn’t go back to work.

I had to leave my job and was out of work for over a year.

Alhamdulillah, I’m able to work part-time now, but the effects of the Stroke mean full-time is out of the question for the foreseeable future.

That’s why I’m encouraging every woman to start saving a little every month in a second bank account.

Save however much or as little as you can afford because with time that will become a comfortable amount.

You may never need that bank account’s money In Shaa Allah or you could choose to spend it on yourself or your family.

Wow! Humaira, Assalamo Alaikum, and this is a good topic to use for discussion. I agree with you, but I feel this is normal. I mean I have always had this notion in mind alhamdulillah that the wife should have her own account, debit and credit card. If the husband says, use mine, you don’t need one, she should politely demand one. Plus, I would love to add another point. Islam gives you the right, in fact every woman, Muslim or Non Muslim, should discuss this prior marriage with her husband that what are his views and thoughts on having access to his bank accounts down the road, let’s say 2-3 years. Because God forbid, sudden death of her husband or anything can have her world turned upside down. Husbands who are mindful about this and farsighted, Alhamdulillah, share their bank details with the closest person to them, the wife. So that tomorrow she faces no trouble whatsoever when it comes to finances. Such trust should be there. I heard of a couple who have done this and it filled my heart with warmth and trust in Allah’s plans for people even more. Good people and good men do exist who understand the importance of marriage and honor their wives with ultimate trust. Alhamdulillahi Rabil Alameen.

Walaikum Salaam Pervisha and I agree with all your points, I guess it truly depends on how much trust there is in a relationship to be so open and honest about the worldly thing of money. Thanks for sharing!

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